Education, Schools, and Libraries

Southern Illinois University

Founded in 1869 with a dozen academic departments and an inaugural class of 143, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale now ranks among Illinois’ most comprehensive public universities.

Each year, SIUC welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries who take advantage of outstanding academic programs as they pursue associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees from the university’s eight colleges, School of Medicine, and School of Law. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recognizes SIUC as one of the nation’s top research-extensive institutions, a distinction awarded to only the top 3.8 percent of colleges and universities in the United States.

Deep ties between SIUC and Carbondale continue to grow. Research and practical knowledge from the university have a substantial impact on many aspects of the city. The Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center provides facilities and training for area businesses, and business owners tap faculty and students for a wide range of needs. Tremendously important is the social and economic contribution of SIUC’s performing arts centers, museum, sports complexes, and recreation facilities, all of which are enjoyed not only by students, but also by residents and visitors of Carbondale.

Website Links for Southern Illinois University

In 2010, the campus of Southern Illinois University, through the Saluki Way effort, had the basketball arena completely revamped with more comfortable seating, a contemporary concourse and a new scoreboard that displays individual statistics and video replay. The upgraded facility also features a VIP club room, a Saluki team store and a new ticket office. The concourse, which serves both the stadium and arena, was recently updated with a life-size bronze statue of SIU's famed mascot - a Saluki.

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Quick Facts

SIUC is the older and larger of the two campuses that comprise Southern Illinois University (the second campus is in Edwardsville).

SIUC will be undergoing more than $200 million in new construction in the next few years, including new academic buildings, a student services building, and a new football stadium.

The Big Muddy Film Festival is one of the oldest student-run film festivals in the United States and is dedicated to encouraging grassroots filmmaking in local communities. In its 30+ years of history, it has showcased thousands of independent works, big and small, from around the world.